So you just moved to Be’er Sheva…NOW WHAT???

#1: BUREAUCRACYAs a new immigrant, you need to dedicate some time to bureaucratic steps:

1) Open a bank accountBe’er Sheva has all of the major bank chains in Israel including Discount, Hapoalim, and Leumi. Most people decide based on the convenience of where they are each located.

2) Visit Misrad Haklita (Immigration office)
Misrad Haklita is located on Shazar Street #31. Sadly, there is no sign on the outside of the building so it can be a bit hard to find. It is important to make an appointment in advance by calling: 1599-500-921. Galina is the representative for English-speaking Olim but you may meet with someone else instead. Unfortunately, most of the representatives do not speak English. If you can bring along a Hebrew-speaker, that would be great.At Misrad Haklita, you can sign up for your absorption basket and ulpan.

In 2016, the Be’er Sheva municipality appointed a klita coordinator for English-speakers for the first time. For assistance with working with the municipality, klita, or education, please get in touch with Megan Turner: meganturnerklitab7@gmail.com

3) Join a Kuppah
Beer Sheva has all of the major health funds, including Maccabi, Clalit, and Meuchedet. Clalit is the largest in Beer Sheva and is connected to Soroka hospital. It is important to go to your chosen Kuppah in order to get your permanent insurance card and make an appointment with a primary doctor. To choose a doctor, you may want to get referrals from other Olim.

4) Phone and InternetIt is very difficult to navigate life without phone and internet services so we recommend that you take care of this as soon as possible.

Misrad Harishui is located on 5 Manof Street. The following opticians can be used:
Optica Markovitz – in “Big”
Opticana – in the Negev Mall

6) Travel DocumentsTo arrange for your Teudat Maavar or Israeli passport, you will need to visit Misrad Hapnim which is located in the governmental offices of Kiryat Hamemshala on Hatikva Street. Always best to get there early. It is always crowded but also always better than Misrad Hapnim in Jerusalem!

7) ArnonaTo arrange for your Arnona discount, you need to visit the Arnona office in the Old City located at Hadassah #78 with copies of your TZ, TO, and rental agreement.

#2: HOUSINGIf you landed in Beer Sheva without a place to live, check out some of these online (HEBREW) resources:

RecreationMovies: Globus Max Movies Theaters in One Plaza is the major theater in Beer Sheva. They have VIP showings that include food and endless drinks and popcorn. Lev Omer is a small movie theater in Beer Sheva, just a few minutes North of Beer Sheva which shows independent and foreign films. The Negative cinema at BGU screens films regularly and runs lots of fascinating film-related lectures and events. English website – http://www.bgu4u.co.il/article/meet_negative.aspxBowling – http://bowling7.co.il/ (in Big)Rock-Climbing – Performance Rock is a super fun place in the Old City – https://www.facebook.com/performancerockbeershevaGo-carting – located in Rami Levi shopping complexSkate-boarding Park – located at the corner of Tuviyahu and Ilan Ramon Streets

Night LifeBecause of the student life in Beer Sheva, there are lots of great bars in the city. Here is a short list to check out:BarbasabaAshan HazmanTapas barHaHalutz 33MunchillaDonkeys BarCocoa
Roza
Manga

RestaurantsThere are 100s of restaurants and cafes in Beer Sheva. Here are a few that are kind of special (and Kosher): Hanoi Hasinit – authentic Chinese food – Rosko City.Hodu Haketana – vegetarian Indian – 15 Ringenblum Street near BGUThe Butchery – Nice restaurant where you order your meat from the “butcher.” Old CityYakuta – lovely, somewhat fancy Moroccan restaurant in the Old City. 27 Mordei HagetaotArabica – nice big space, large meat menu. 12 Herzl Street in the Old CityCafe Ringenblum – this dairy restaurant is also a social project as it employs at-risk teens. 86 Ringenblum Street near BGUCity Cafe – just a nice coffee shop/dairy restaurant run by good people. Rosko City.

The Shuk – The shuk is open S-F and offers cheaper fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, and bakeries than found in the stores.Eden Teva – is a beautiful “Whole Foods”-like store with a nice selection of health and organic foods. Located in Big.Osher Ad – Some feel that Osher Ad which is a “mega” store is the cheapest chain in Israel.Rami Levi – Some feel that Rami Levi is the cheapest chain in Israel.

#5: RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIESFor Olim who are new to a city, the easiest way to connect to other and find “adopted family” is through participating in religious life. Be’er Sheva is home to over 300 synagogues but most are small Sephardic minyanim. Below is a list of institutions that have some “anglo” involvement.

#6: VOLUNTEERAnother great way to connect with others is participating in volunteering projects in the City. Some great ideas are to volunteer in a nursing home, a merkaz klita, or in a school tutoring English. The options are endless but here are few classics to get you started:

#7: JOB SEARCHPlease send us your resume and we will be happy to arrange a meeting with you to help with your CV and job search. Since networking is always the best tool for finding a job, please take advantage of the following local resources as well:AACI – set up an employment consultation with mgreen@aaci.org.il
Start-up Centre – 16 Hashalom Street (for ages 18-35)
Maagal HaChaim veHataasuka – 22 Ragar Street (for ages 18-55)
Misrad Haklita – once you have completed Ulpan, you are entitled to employment services from Misrad Haklita including business Hebrew, employment training, and placement assistance.

Trains: Often the fastest and most comfortable way to travel. There are two train stations in Be’er Sheva – one right next to the Central bus station and one next to University in the Northern part of the city. http://www.rail.co.il/EN/Pages/Homepage.aspx

Taxis: It is easy to hail cabs in busy parts of the cities but best to keep a phone number on hand in case you end up stranded somewhere! Almost all trips within the city cost 25 NIS. You can also try the new GetTaxi app!

Come by our office to pick up a free map of Beer Sheva so you can start exploring!